Poration



E. V. CROWELL GAS EMERGENCY CONTROL FOR FLOWING OIL 0R GAS WELLS Original Filed June ll. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 29, 1 92' 7.

jm enfor ETKCrau/e March 29, 1927.

E. V. CROWELL GAS EMERGENCY,CONTROL FOR FLOWING =OIL 0R GAS WELLS Original Filed June 11 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 2 After/76y I 16,577 March 29, 1927. E V CROWELL Re GAS EMERGENCY CONTROL FOR FLCJWING OIL OR GAS WELLS Original Filed June ll. 1921 3 Sheets-Shut 5 ltformij/ mama, Man 29, 1921.

UNITED STAT PATENT lorries.

ERD V. CROWELL. OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR THE GUIBEBBON COR- PORATION, '01 DALLAS, TEXAS,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE,

GAS-EIEBGEN CONTROL FOR FLOWING OIL OR GAS WELLS.

Original No. 1,482,874, dated October 17, 1922, Serial 179.476,?14, filed June 11, 1821. Application for reissue filed October 31,

Crude oil is a mixture of bituminous hy--' drocarbons; liquids, solids and gases,-the solids and gases being soluble in the liquids. 'lhe liquefication' of the combined elements, and degree of solubility are determined by pressure. i

Both natural gas' and oil are generally found in the same sand, both are of'a common origin, the gas being merely a volatile component of the oil, dissolved in the oil under and by means of pressure. The gas, when found associated with the oil, under pressure, imparts a motive energyvto the oil, which motive energy tends to make the oil accessible to recovery, by prompting its movement through the sand toward the well. Thus since oil is energized by the dissolved gas, through a process of compression, and

since the recovery of the oil is dependent on the motive energy imparted by the dissolved gas, it is evident that efiicient oil recovery is 'dependent on a restricted and regulated release of the production.

It has long been an observable fact that much more gas accompanies the production of a barrel of oil than could be held in solution under the original well pressure, indicating that the expulsive energy originally contained in several barrels of oil is required to expel one barrel from the sand.

There is a definite and limited amount of gas energy in the oil of each district, and

eilicient oil recovery is measured by the efiicient use of this gas energy.

Crude oil, in its native state is very elastic, conformably filling the pore-spaces in the sand body with a uniform pressure. The gas energy. if released unrestricted, will have a marked tendency toslip by the oil through the largerpores of the sand, and through the parts of the sand offering least resistance without expendingmuch energy in actually moving oil.

The efliciency of expulsion of the gas energy decreases. enormously with each degree of saturation; so that greatest actual as well as relative recovery would be recoverable while the sands are fully and uni-' pressure during the process of 1924. Serial No. 747,125.

formly saturated, even if more gas energycould be stored in the sand when less complacing a flowing'oil well under imme iate control as soon as drilled in.

Therefore, if by a more efficient control of the gas energy welessen the volume or pro-.

portion of gas with each barrel of oil produced. we should increase the total recovery from the oil sand correspondingly, and consequently control the source of supply, to a great extent. 7

Important objects of the invention are to provide a device of thischaracter, which may be installedwhen the pressure isv heavy, as the valves open up to full capacity, relieving the pressure and allowing the device to be lowered into the well against a heavy pressure; to provide means for aiding and compellingthe oil movement in the sand in one direction only, which direction is toward the well; to provide means for properly utilizing the gas energy associated with the oil by a ,moreeven distribution of the use of the gas energy with respect to the volume of oil raised; to' provide means for efl'ecting a. more even fiow of oil, by the gas energy, eliminating the agitation of the oil to a great extent; to provide means for causing the gas energy to exert a more eflicient and continuous lift- -pletely filled with oil. Thus the necessit of ing force upon the oil; to provide means to prevent the gas energy, to some extent,-

when the pressure is weak, and totally if the pressure is heavy, from exerting more than one expulsive force to the oil; to provide adevice of the above mentioned character which is elastic in its adjustment and consequent regulation in the flow of oil, so that the flow may be gaged according to 'the constantly declining gas pressure; to

provide a. device of the above-mentioned character which is simple in construction,

easy to'install and may he removed from the well for usev any number of times; to provide means. for efiiciently utilizing the. gas energy associated with the oil, in the .sand, for promptinga more complete deeven prorating of the gaseous hydrocarbons to the oil produced, by means of a regulated and restricted release of the gas pressure, in the oil sand, during the process of production.

Otherobjects and advantages of the invention reside in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the device, showing the position occupied by the parts when the device is being inserted in the Well or is being adjusted therein;

Figure. 2 is a similar view, showing the positlon occupied by the device when the device is anchored in position in the well;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the device;

Figure 4 is a transverse horizontal sectional view on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail view in vertical sec-- tion of a modification;

Figure 6 is a similar view of another modification; e

Figure 7 is a view, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of another embodifnent of the invention, showing the position occupied by the parts when the de-' vice is belng inserted in the well or is being adjusted therein; 1

Figure 8 is a similar View, showing the position occupied by the devlce when it is anchored in position in the well, and

Figure 9 is a detail View in fragmenta perspective of the lower spider and its gu geon. I i

1 Referring to the drawings wherein for the sake of illustration is shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be seen that in all embodiments of the invention 'the' well casin is idesignated at 10, and tubingll constituting a flow pipe or discharge tubing extends downwardly in the well casing. A control head, designated generally M312, is arranged Within the Well casing on the flow pipe 11 and is organized with a packer indicated generally at 13, which ispreferably of the hook-wall type.

The control head comprises an open-ended body portion 14 having a depending cylindrical extension 15'. Within the cylindrical body portion a s ider 16 is provided and includes a hub 1 having a smooth bore which slidably receives the tubing 11. The upper end of the body portion of the control head isground or otherwise machined to form a valve seat 18.-

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a pressure operated ring valve 19 has its outer peripheral face adapted to coact with the valve seat 18 and form' a gas-tight: joint therewith in the closed position of the valve and has its inner peripheral taco machined or ground valve 21 forms a gas-tight joint in the closed position of the valves. Stops or limit lugs 22 are carried by the control head and limit the open movement of the ring valve 19. It is obvious that the positively operated valve 21 not only cooperates with the ring valve 19 to control the passage of the gas through the control head, but it also serves to control the ring valve itself.

- In the embodiment of-thc invention shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pressure operated valve is omitted and a single positively operated 'valve 23 is provided and cooperates with the valve seat of the control head.

In all embodiments, the packer 13 is, preferably,of the hook-wall type and comprises an elongated cylindrical structure or body portion 25 which is connected to the extension 15 of the control head. 'A rubber27 or similar packing element is received on the body portion of the packer and abuts atv its upper end the shoulder 26. Anchoring .or supporting means is arranged on the body portion 25 below the packing element and includes a slip cage 28 embracing the body portion and carrying slips 29 having serrated or toothed faces 30 ada ted for griploo ping engagement with the wel casing. The

slips are carried b the cage so as to be free t? swing outward y under the action of a. s ip 'cone or conical sleeve 31.- Slip springs 32 are mounted upon the sli cage and engage the slips and are adapts! to frictionall engage the wall of the well casing. A hoo 33 carried by the slip cage cooperates with a pin 34- carried by the body portion 25 to maintain the slips out of en agement with the wall of the well casing w on the pin is received in the bight of thehook.

A lower spider 35, is carriedhy the bod portion of the packer and includes ahu 36 having a kc -way '37 extending longitudinally thereo In the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 3 to (i, inclusive, an operin the key-way 37 whereby the rotary movement of the tubing is transmitted to the body portion of the packer andthe control .head although the. tubing may partake of limited relative rectilinear movement with ating or orienting key 38 extends longitudi- 'nally of the tube 1.1 and is welded or other- .wisc secured thereto and is slulubly received 36 and at its other end a suitable abutment.

carried by the key 38 or by the tubing ll if desired and engageable with the huh 36 and adapted to he sheared oil to permit the closure of the valves Another means which may be employed for carrying out this purpose is shown in Figure 6, and consistsof a frangible wire 45 secured to an car 46, carried bythe tubing and encircling one of the wings or arms of the spider. The wire is adapted to be broken to permit of the closure of the valves.- 7

- In the form of the invention shown in' Figures 7, 8 and 9 the yieldable means is omitted and a gudgeon 39 is secured in the hub of the spider and has an upstanding abutment lug 39 and is provided with a key-way alined and communicating with the key-way 36" of the spider 35. The orienting or operating key, designated at 38, is ada t ed to cooperate with either the top of t e spider or with the keyway. The key 38 is secured to the tubing 11 and when its lower end abuts the top of the hub of the spider it serves to maintain the valve 23 in open position as shown in Figure 7, and

when the tubing 11 has been turned to dispose the key over and permit it to slide down into the keyways 39 and 36 of the hub and gudgeon respectively, the valve 23 moves downwardly to closed position as shown in Figure 8. It is to be noted that the abutment lug 39 coats with the key to cause it to aline with the keyways when the tubing 11 is turned to perm1t closing of the valve 23. Again the key. 38 may en age the 1 lug 39 from the side 0 posite the teywa s to turn the control hea so as to cause .t e pin 34 to reenter or re-engage the hook 33.

In all embodiments, the flow pipe or discharge tube 11 has attached'thereto below the hook wall packer va string1 of tubing designated at 50 which is attac ed to the tubing 11 by means of a coupling 51 d the tubing 50 constitutes'aswinging am or or an intake for the oil. The coupling 51 also constitutes an abutment engageable with the underside of the spider 35 for limiting downward movement of the packer and control head on the discharge tubing, and in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and'8 it limits the upward movement of the key 38' to rotative engagement with the top of the hub of the s ider 35.

In 0 er that the purpose of the invention provided thereon. T he spring might'be better understood and a particu:

lar and exclusive advantage of its application to a flowing oil well .Wherebv to provide means for more definitely prorating the gas 1 energy to the oil during the process of produotion might be better appreciated itis thought well to include here a brief survey ofthe physical forces to be controlled together with the measurements-of these physical forces. which the device is to regulate.

The How action,is the result of the release of the combined hydrocarbons from a heavy pros-lire. where most of the. volatile gases are found compressed into liquid form,

I dissolved into .the oil under pressure, but expand and become true gases immediately upon release of this pressure. 'hen'a porous sand body is punctured by the drill there is an immediate release of pressure and the consequent rush of oil and gasto the well.

Gas is much more mobile than oil and capable of more easy movement through the The flow energy is measured ume and'pressure of the to which the oil is energized by the gas depends upon the relative proportion of oil to gas and the pressureunder which they 00-- exist.

It is very often the case to encounter a sand body without enough gas to energize any great percentage of the oil regardless of the pressure under whichthey may exist, and again it is common occurrence, espe-- cially in a shallowvsand territorv, to find the volume of gas present but the lack of pressure' for prompting the oil to become energized by the gas.

Although gas is more mobile than oil, yet it is a fact, proven out in practice, that oil is capable of more aggressive movement through the sand than free gas, when both are laboring under the same conditions. This may be observed by closing a gushing oil well in at the top, right after an expulby the volgas, and the extent sion of oil, when the well bore is practically well is said to have reached its head pressure, commonly referred to as headed up.

It is an established fact that where the oil and gas are found associated in a tight closegrained sand body that the percentage of ultimate recovery is much greater than from a loose coarse-grained sand body, indicating that. when the combined hydrocarbons are permitted to be restrict-irely released from pressure, that a greater percentage of oil is made to move through the sand to the well, as a result of keeping the gas associated with the oil while en route through the sand to the well. Thus by a proper regulation of the gas energy it is not only possible to 'in-. crease the etliciency of expelling the oil through the well bore, but more effectually do artificially what nature does naturally, and actually control the source of supply to a great extent.

Obviously, the problem'here is to'provide means for mechanically controlling the as energy so that the maximum volume of oi is mobilized at the well-hole and subsequently expelled through the well here with the liberation of the minimum volume of free gas. Thus not only efl'ecting a more enonomical expenditure of the gas energy in lifting the oil from the well here but actually maintaining a greater 'ercentage of the oil energized and snsceptibe of movement through the sand to well bore and thereby greatly increase the percentage ofv ultimate recovery from the porous sand body.

This purpose may be accomplished by properly regulating the factors of'flow energy which are volume-and pressure of the gas by providing a gradually restricted reservoir in which the oil and gas may accumulate, together with a very restricted'ventpipe, as represented by the tubing 11, through which they flow. I

For purpose of illustration consider Fig ure 1, where the well merges with the opening 0 in the stratum of oil sand, commonly known as the shot hole. The volume of the well bore below the packer constitutes a reservoir wherein the gas mobilizes the oil preparatory to expelling the oilthrough the tubing 11, commonly referred to as the compression chamber]? For'every stated volume and pressure of gas there is a; certain volume of compression chamber} above or below which the gas will not expel the oil with full efficiency. In

order to enjoy the full expulsive efficiency of the gas energy it is therefore necessary to provide means for gradually restricting the volume of the compression chamberas the gziilenergy declines with the flow life of the we i If the compression chamber is too restricted, the gas will force the oil out with an explosive force, even by-passing the oil, and. if the compression chamber is too large, the gas will channel up through the column of oil and escape oil of the top. whereas if the compression chamber is properly regulated lheoil will be expelled in a more quiet way without much dissipation of free gas,

By means of the device it is possible to successively lower the packer in the well here and consequently gradually restrict the volume of the compression chamber as the volume and pressure of the gas declines, and thereby maintain a more even flow of oil through the tubing 11 with the minimum expenditure of gas energy. a 1

In practice, the swinging anchor or tubing lelow the packer is positioned at a point approximately one-fourth of the way up from the bcttom ot' the well and the packer is positioned about one'halt way up from the bottom of the well thus providing a compression chamber of about one-halt the volume of the well hole.

'lhen itthe well does not llow as prolilically as desired, or if there is a tendency for the rate ot flow to decrease too much, additional tubing can be added and the gas enel gy control headthus gradually lowered, consequently restricting the compression chamber until a proper flow of oil is eft'ectcd. The proper flow of oil may thus be obtained by gradually lowering the device as the gas energy declines with the a e of the well. The maximum compression c 1amber may thus lie-provided, for each stage mt" gas energy decline, by regulating the vertical position of the gas energy control head inthe well.

In introducing'the device into a well against a heavy pressure when employing the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 3, the valves 19 and 21 are maintained open by the action of the spring 40 or other yieldable means which ma be provided and when employing the emhodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 9, .the valve 23 is maintained open by the engagement of the key 38 with the top of the hub of the spider.

When the tubing, control head and packer are in the desired position the tubing is 1'0- tated ortnrned approximately 180 degrees thus turning ororienting the body portion of the packer on which the pins 34 are carried. In the form ofthe invention shownin Figures 6 to 9, thetubing 11 must be first turned to permit the key 38 to enter the key way and then turned to orient the body portion. This movement of the body portion 25 releases'the pins from the hooks and releases the slipcage from its connec tion with the body portion of the packer.

The sli s )rin s which trictionallv en 'a 'e KB I I h loo gives way .under this action. If the yield-- mg means he the spring 40, it. is compressed; if it be the lead lug 43 it is sheared oil; and if it be the trahgible wire it is broken. With'the-for'm of the invention shownin Figures 6 to 9, the valve 23 is forced shut in asimilar manner at this phase of the operation as the key 38 is then slidably arranged in the ke way and does not resist this action. Simu taneously with the shutting of the valve-the rubber on the packer is expanded and seals the annular space between the packer and the casing, whereby the outlet for the oil and gas is consequently restricted to the tubing. By suitably handling the tubing the position of the packer and control head in the Well may be varied and the compression chamber which is defined thereby may be varied.

Thus, I not only provide a device that may; be lowered against a heavy gas pressure, whereb a flowing oil well may be tubed and packe -in, regardless of the gas piessure, but I rovide means for 'chan ing the vertical position of the device in t e well,- at the will of-the operator. It is therefore possible to regulate the flow energy, as represented by the gas energ so that the flow' of oil from the oil'san through the tubing, is more steady, and a minimum amount of gas escaping with each barrel of oil produced and the gas energy consequently works at its maximum efliciency in moving oil through 'the sand toward the well, and subsequently expelling the oil through the tubing, from the well.

In general the device provides a means whereby a string of tubing with packer attached may be lowererd into a flowing oil or gas well against a heavy gas pressure; a means wherebyto close the" valves of the device at-any point in the well so that the flow may be restricted as desired; any amount of tubin may be suspended in the well provided wit 1 packing mechanism without the necessit of the tubing resting on the bottom oft e well and thisregardless of the gas pressure resistingi'the packing mechanism; and the vertical position of the energy control head may be changed so that the space below the packer may be regulated at the will of the operator for successively restricting the volume. of the compression chamber as the gas volume and pressure .declines.

It is obvious that the single positively operated valve of Figures 7 and 8 ma be utilized in conjunction withthe yiel able means of "igures 3 and 6 or that the cooperating valves of Figures 1 and 2 may be utilized in conjunction with rotatable kqy and gudgeonof Figures 7 and 9, within the purview of 'this invention as both the valves 19 and 21, and the vahe 23 constitute valve means for controlling the flow ofv fluid through the control head and the yieldable means and rotatable key 38 constitute means for overcoming the resistance to the introduction of the device into a well, not withstanding the fact that the key 38 also constitutes means for transmitting the totary motion of thetubing 11 to the packer in another phase of the operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a device. of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, a packer having anchoring means for supporting the packer and discharge tubing at the desired point in the well and operated by rotary movement of the dischar e tubing, a swinging anchor carried by t e discharge tubing below the packer, a spider secured to said packer and slidably receivpacker and-control head and a coilspring supported upon the spider of the packer and engaged with the tubing for yieldably maintaining said valves open.

2. In .a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing the tubing, means for keying the tubing ing, a packer having anchoring means for supporting the packer and discharge tubing at the deslred point in the well operated by rotary movement of the discharge tubing, a spider secured tosaid packer and slidably receiving the tubin means for keying the tubing to the spi er whereb it is constrained to rotary movement withthe tubing while permitting relative longitudinal movement, a control head secured upon the packer, a'spider carried by the control head and slidably receiving the tubing, cooperating valves carried by the control head and the tubin for controlling the flow of fluid through t e packer and control head and a coil spring supported upon the spider of the packer and engaged with the tubing for yieldingly maintaining said valves open.

- 3. In a device of the characterdescribed for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, a acker'having anchoring means for supporting the packer anddischarge tubing 'at the desired point in the .well operated by rotary movement of the discharge tubing, a

spider secured to said packer and slidably.

receiving the tubing, means for keying the 'tubing to the spider whereby it is constrained to rotary movement with the tubing while permittlng relative longitudinal movetrol head and a coil spring supported upon the spider of the packer and engaged with the tubing for yielding ly maintaining said valves open. i

4. In a device of the character described for use with oiland as wells, discharge tubing, a packer inclu ing a cylindrical body portion through which the discharge tubing extends, anchoring means carried by the body portion and adapted to be operated by rotary movement of the discharge tubing for controlling theflow o't fluids, a spider carried by the body portion and having a longitudinal key-way therein, a key secured to the tubin and slidable in the key-way, a control hea cooperating valves carried by the control head and the discharge tubing for controlling the flow of fluid through the packer and control head, and a coil sprin arranged upon the discharge tubing and supported at its lower end upon the spider of the packer and engaging the. discharge tubing at its upper end for yieldingly maintaining said valves open. v

5. In a device of the character described, in combination with a well casing, discharge tubing arranged in said Well casing, a packer in said well casing through which said discharge tubing extends, said packer having anchoring means engageable with the well casing for supporting the packer and the dischar e tublng, a control head arranged upon the packer and associated with the dlschargetubing, cooperating valves carried upon the control head and the discharge tube for controlling the discharge of fluid through said control head, and a'coil spring supported upon the packer and engageable with the discharge tubing for yieldably maintaining said valves open.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination with a well casing, discharge tubing a-rran ed in said well casing, a packer in sai well .casing through which i said discharge tubing extends, sald packer having anchorin means engageable'with the well casing %or supporting the packer and the discharge tubing, a control head arranged u on thepacker and associated with the discharge tubing, cooperating valve -means carried upon the control head and thedischarge tubing for controlling the discharge of fluid through said head, and yieldable means supported upon the packer and engaging the discharge tubing for maintainin said cooperating valve. means open.

In a device of the character described, in combination with a well casing, discharge tubing therein, a acker arranged on the discharge tubing withinthe well casing and having anchoring means engageable with tubing, 0.

the well, casing for supporting the packer and the discharge tubing, a swinging anchor carried by the discharge tubing below the packer, a control head arranged upon the packer, cooperatin 'means carried by the control head and the discharge tubing for controlling the flow of fluid through said control'head, and yieldable means supported upon the packer and engaging the discharge tubing for maintaining said cooperating means positioned to permit thedischarge of fluid throu h said control head.

8. In a evice of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, a packer associated with the discharge tubing and having anchorin means for supporting the packer and the discharge tubing, said anchoring means being rendered active and inactive by rotation of the packer,

means for transmitting the rotary motion of the discharge tubing to the packer, a control. head arranged upon the packer, cooperating means carried by the control head and the discharge tubing for controlling the flow 0t fluid through said control head, and yieldable means supported upon the packer and engaging the discharge tubing for maintaining said valve means open.

9. In a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, a packer associated with the discharge tubing and having anchoring means controlled by the discharge tubing, 0, control head arranged upon the packer, cooperating valve means carried by the control head and dischargetubing for controlling the flow of fluid through the control head, and yieldable means supported upon the packer and engaging the discharge tubing for positively maintaining said valve means open.

10. In a device of the character described for use with oil and tubing, a packer associated with the discharge tubing and having anchoring means controlled by the discharge tubing, a control head arranged upon the packer, cooperating valve means carried by thecontrol head and discharge tubing, for controlling the .fibw of fluid through the control head and means for positively holding the valve means open while the device is being lowered into a well. i

11. In a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge packer associated vith the discharge tulnng and having anchoring means controlled by the discharge tubing, a control head arranged upon the packer and having a valve seat thereon, a valve carried by the discharge tubing and engageable with said valve seat, and means for'positively holding the valve open and away from the seat while the device is being lowered into a well. 12. In a device of the character described as wells, discharge above the seat while for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, apacker associated with the discharge tubing and having anchoring means controlled bythe discharge tubing, :1 control head'connected with the packer and having a valve seat, a valve carried by the discharge tubing for engaging said seat, and positive means engagin with the discharge tubin for holding said valve elevated above sai seat while said device is being lowered into the well.

' 13. In a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, a packer agociated with the discharge tubing, and having anchoring means controlled thereby, a control head secured upon the packer, valve means operated by.

the discharge tubing for controlling the flow of fluid through the control head, and positive means -for holding the valve means open against an upward fluid pressure while said device is lowered into the well.

14. In a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, discharge tubing, a packer associated with the discharge tubing, and havin anchorin means, means under the contro of the 'scharge tubing for transmitting the motion of the discharge tubing to the packer and its anchor? mechanism, whereby the anchoring mec anism is controlled by the discharge tubing, and maybe set to support saidtubing, a control headarranged upon the packer, valve means associated with said control head, and positive means for holdin the valve means open a ainst an upward fluid premure while sai device is .being lowered into the well.

15. In a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, the combination of a discharge tubing, a body memberthrough which the tubing is movable lon-.

gitudinally, a packer carried upon the body, means for setting the packer in the well, a valve seat upon the body surrounding the tubing, a valve carried by the tubing and engaging said seat when the tubing isv moved longitudinally, and positive means for holding the packer body against movement on the tubin and the valve unscated while the device is being lowered into the well.

16. In a device of the character described for use with oil and gas wells, the combination of a discharge tubing, :1 body member through which the tubing is movable longitudinally, a packer carried upon the body,

-means for setting the packer in the well, a

valve seat upon the body surrounding the tubing, a valve carried by the tubing and engagingsaid seat when the tubing is moved longitudinally. and yieldable means for positively supporting the tubing above the packer and holding said valve elevated the device is being lowered I in the well.

17. A packer comprising a hollow body, an anchor tubing suspended from the body, a packing on the body, a valve member for opening and closing one end of the body, means at each end of the body movable relativcl to the other; and to the body for expan ing the packing, said means at one end of the body being .operatively connected with said valve, and means on the valve member through which said valve member may be connected with a well tubing, the

lower end of the body being open to the gas rising outside of the anchor tubing.

.18. The combination with a hollow Well packer, of a head having a gas escape port therein, a-valve member carried-by the head and movable relatively thereto for opening and closing said port, tubing extending through the packer and connected with the I valve member elevated above the seat of the head. 7

20. A packer comprising a hollow body, a packing on the body, a valve member for opening and closing one end of the body,

means at each end of the body movabierelati vcly to the other; and to the body for expanding the packing, said means at one end of the body being operatively connected with said valve, means on the valve member through which said valve member may be connected with a well tubing, and positive means for holding the valve member cle-.

vated and open while the packer is being lowered into a well.

21. Themethod of placing a flowing oil or gas well under control for utilizing and conserving the gas pressure thereof which consists, in forming a compre-sion chamber above the fluid level by lowering into the well against said pressure, a packing device, while permitting an escape of gas.

pressure.upward through said device after its anchor tube has been imnu-rscd Ill the fluid, and subycqucntly selling the packing device at different levels in the well to vary' the volume of the roinprvssioorhamhcr formed above the fluid levcl.

22. The method of placing a flowing oil or gas well under control for utilizing and conserving the gas pressure thereof which consists in forming a compression chamber above the fluid level by lowcring into the well against said pressure, a packing device, while permittin an escape of gas presenga ing said device and anchoring it to m the slrle walls of the well at difierent levels in the well and shutt ing off the escape of pressure through said device to vary the voll0 ume of the compression chamber formed above the fluid level.

In testimony whereof I afllx my signature. l

ERD. 'V. CROWELL. 

